Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,
2To Timothy, my beloved child:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Guard the Deposit Entrusted to You
3I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.4As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.5I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother
Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
8Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,9who saved us and called us to[a] a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,[b] 10and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,11for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher,12which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.[c] 13Follow the pattern of the sound[d] words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.14By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
15You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.16May the Lord grant mercy to the household of
Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains,17but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me—18may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.
Main points
1) You have THE GIFT and the gift.
2) Therefore do not be ashamed of Jesus Christ
3) Guard the good deposit
Some relevant Scriptures (all Scripture references are in ESV)
1) You have THE GIFT and the gift
● Psalm 16:2-3 -2I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”3As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.
● 2 Corinthians 4:7 -7But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
2) Therefore do not be ashamed of Jesus Christ
● Genesis 3:4 -4But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.” ● Genesis 3:19 -19By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
● 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 -20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.21For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.22For as in
Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.23But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
3) Guard the good deposit.
● 1 Corinthians 15:10 -10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the
contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was
not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
● Philippians 2:12-13 -12Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,13for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
● Psalm 12:6 -6The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.
● 1 Corinthians 4:2 -2Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
● Jeremiah 9:23-24 -23Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,24but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
Discussion Questions for E-Groups and further personal application 1. In what areas in your life are you currently tempted to fear? How does the promise of the Spirit begin to help you work through those fears? 2. We received the Spirit of power, love and self-control which is the confidence we need to be courageous and unashamed of the gospel. What are some recent ways you have been unashamed in proclaiming and living out the gospel?
3. Are you willing to suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ? Why or why not? How does today’s message begin to change or strengthen your views? 4. Why is it necessary to guard the good deposit of the gospel as long as we live?
Ptr. Muyiwa Oyatogun/November 1, 2026
Leading People To A Life Of Commitment And Productivity In Christ